Gary Cole to star in TBS comedy pilot

Gary Cole has been tapped as the lead in "Uncle Nigel," TBS' first hourlong comedy pilot.

The casting lifts the contingency off the project, written and executive produced by "Monk" creator Andy Breckman.

"Nigel" centers on Nigel Wells (Cole), a veteran Philadelphia homicide detective who takes on his inexperienced, incompetent nephew as a partner.

"Nigel" is one of two hourlong cast-contingent pilots TBS ordered last month as part of the comedy-centered network's new programming strategy to expand its core lineup of half-hour sitcoms to include animated and hourlong series.